This cross-sectional study looks at common co-morbidities for children with CP, including other neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD or ADHD. Overall, they found that children with CP tend to have higher odds of mental health disorders than children without CP. This is commonly due to physical activity, sleep, and pain levels. Increasing or maintaining physical activity was associated with reduced risk of depression, however, issues with pain and movement make it common for children with CP to live a sedentary lifestyle.

However, this study did not explore the social limitations that children with CP face and the way that those contribute to mental health. DP is associated with many social, emotional, and communication-based, difficulties as well, including speech problems. Not acknowledging these factors does not recognize the whole picture of the daily life for a child with CP. 

Summary of the Study

Whitney, D. G., Warschausky, S. A., & Peterson, M. D. (2019). Mental health disorders and physical risk factors in children with cerebral palsy: a cross‐sectional study. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 61(5), 579-585.

Rutgers University

References for Cerebral Palsy

Krigger, K. W. (2006). Cerebral palsy: an overview. American family physician, 73(1), 91-100.

Cerebral Palsy: an Overview (2006)

Vitrikas, K., Dalton, H., & Breish, D. (2020). Cerebral palsy: an overview. American family physician, 101(4), 213-220.

Cerebral Palsy: an Overview (2020)

Mental Health Disorders and Physical Risk Factors in Children with CP

Downs, J., Blackmore, A. M., Epstein, A., Skoss, R., Langdon, K., Jacoby, P., ... & Cerebral Palsy Mental Health Group. (2018). The prevalence of mental health disorders and symptoms in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 60(1), 30-38.

The Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders & Symptoms in Children & Adolescents with CP

Bax, M., Goldstein, M., Rosenbaum, P., Leviton, A., Paneth, N., Dan, B., ... & Damiano, D. (2005). Proposed definition and classification of cerebral palsy, April 2005. Developmental medicine and child neurology, 47(8), 571-576.

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